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SMITH V. BORRADAILE, 1922-NMSC-071, 30 N.M. 62, 227 P. 602 (S. Ct. 1922)
SMITH
vs.
BORRADAILE, et al.
No. 2640
SUPREME COURT OF NEW MEXICO
1922-NMSC-071, 30 N.M. 62, 227 P. 602
December 27, 1922
Appeal from District Court, Bernalillo County; M. E. Hickey, Judge.
On Rehearing January Term, 1924.
Suit to quiet title to real estate by James C. Smith against Dolores A. Borradaile, Anita A. Otero, and
others. From a judgment awarding title to undivided one-half interest in the premises to the plaintiff and to
the defendant Otero, respectively, plaintiff appeals.
SYLLABUS
SYLLABUS BY THE COURT
1. When evidence tending to establish adverse possession is conflicting, and there is
substantial evidence to warrant the trial court in reaching its conclusion, that conclusion will not
be set aside on appeal.
2. The duty arising between tenants in common, as to the common title, is based upon the
principle of the unity of right of possession which exists as to each, and whether through
common devise or grant or otherwise. One tenant in common, although in possession claiming
adversely to his cotenant, cannot, by purchase of an outstanding tax certificate, issued upon taxes
levied before he became interested in and in possession of the land, assert title to the whole, as
against his cotenant, under the tax deed issued to him after his purchase of the certificate and at
the close of the three-year period of redemption. The purchase of the certificate under such
circumstances constitutes payment of the taxes by one whose duty it is to pay them, and such
payment is for the benefit of all, subject to right of contribution. Case of Bradford v. Armijo
(N.M.) 28 N.M. 288, 210 P. 1070, distinguished.
3. Rejection of proffered evidence on subject of laches eld harmless.
4. Record examined and defense of laches held not established.
5. On appeal, the case will be considered upon the pleadings and issues as framed below.
6. Offers to prove certain facts made upon the trial of the case, which offers state mere
conclusions, are too general and were properly rejected.
COUNSEL
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Simms & Botts, of Albuquerque, for appellant.
The tax title is conclusive in favor of the plaintiff. State ex rel Old v. Romero, 181 P. 435; Pace v.
Wight, 181 P. 430. This is not a case where one co-tenant, refusing to pay the taxes which he should
pay, has sought to acquire a title against another cotenant through a tax deed, but a case in which Smith,
claiming the whole title in possession and desiring to strengthen his title, has bought the tax title. 26 R. C.
L. 'Taxation," pars. 371 and 373; Bannon v. Brandon (Pa.), 75 Am. Dec. 655; 37 Cyc. p. 1347, note 41;
Oswald v. Wolff, 129 Ill. 200, 21 N.E. 839; Griffin v. Turner, 75 Ia. 250, 39 N.W. 294; Lybrand v. Haney,
31 Wis. 230; Collier v. Smith (Ark.), 200 S.W. 1008; Welner v. Stearns, 40 Utah 185, 120 P. 490.
One co-tenant may become an adverse possessor against his co-tenant. Neher v. Armijo, 9 N.M.
325; Probst v. Trustees, 129 U.S. 182; 1 R. C. L. "Adverse Possession", par. 62; Smith v. Barrick, 182 P.
56.
The plea of laches against the cross bill is alone sufficient to determine this case in favor of the
appellant. Patterson v. Hewitt, 11 N.M. 1; Haywood v. National Bank, 96 U.S. 611; Smith v. Clay, Amb.
(English) 645; Harwood v. Railroad Co., 17 Wallace 79; Sullivan v. Portland etc., Ry Co., 94 U.S. 806;
Galliher v. Cadwell, 145 U.S. 368; Penn. Mutual Life Ins. Co. v. Austin, 168 U.S. 685.
A. B. McMillen, of Albuquerque, for appellees.
Plaintiff's tax deed is illegal and void. The land in question was not assessed to the owners for the
year 1903 as required by section 4026 of the Compiled Laws of 1897, but was assessed to Perfecto
Armijo, the owner of but one-tenth interest in said land. Cooper v. Hills, 23 N.M. 696.
The territorial rate, as shown by stipulation on file in this case, was .01751, and the total assessed
value $ 500. The total amount of tax for territorial purposes under said levy was $ 8.75, while the actual
levy collected for territorial purposes was $ 17.78, or $ 9.03 in excess of the legal amount. The legality of
such a tax was settled by the case of the Liberty Bell, 23 F. 843, and by the following authorities: Loan
Association v. Topeka, 20 Wall. 655; 2 Dillon Municipal Corporations, 4th ed., sec. 914; Judson on
Taxation, sec. 341.
In the case of Pace v. Wight, 25 N.M. 276, this court held that the curative provisions of Chap. 22 of
the Laws of 1899 relative to tax sales do not apply to jurisdictional defects and that the fact that the
property was sold for delinquent taxes is jurisdictional.
It must be obvious, also, that a valid tax is jurisdictional.
The law is settled by the highest authority that a tax illegal in part is illegal in toto, and it must
necessarily follow that without an illegal tax there can be no legal sale. Cooley's Constitutional
Limitations, star p. 521, Black on Tax Titles, sec. 230; Drew v. Davis, 10 Vt. 506; Elwell v. Shaw, 1 Me.
339; Buttrick v. Nashua Iron Co., 59 N.H. 392; Bangs v. Snow, 1 Mass. 188; Thurston v. Little, 3 Mass.
429; Dillingham v. Snow, 5 Mass. 547; Stetson v. Kempton, 13 Mass. 283; Haydon v. Foster, 13 Pick.
492; Torrey v. Millbury, 21 Pick. 70; Alvord v. Collin, 20 Pick. 418; Libby v. Burnham, 15 Mass. 144;
Young v. Joslin, 13 R. I. 675; People v. Hagadorn, 36 Hun. 610; Dogan v. Griffin, 51 Miss. 782; Beard v.
Green, 51 Miss. 856; Gamble v. Witty, 55 Miss. 26; Shattuck v. Daniel, 52 Miss. 834; Patterson v.
Kittredge, 65 Miss. 33, 3 So. 65; Rougelot v. Quick, 34 Law. Ann. 123; Kemper v. McClellan, 19 Ohio
324; Younglove v. Hackman, 43 Ohio St. 69, 1 N.E. 230; Doe v. McQuilkin, 8 Blackf. 335; Noble v.
Indianapolis, 16 Ind. 506; McLaughlin v. Thompson, 55 Ill. 249; Lacey v. Davis, 4 Mich. 140; Hammontree
v. Lott, 40 Mich. 190; Wills v. Austin, 53 Cal. 152; Hardenburgh v. Kidd, 10 Cal. 402; McGann v. Merriam,
11 Neb. 241, 9 N.W. 96; Gage v. Pumpelly, 155 U.S. 454, 462.
There was no authority vested in the treasurer to sell the tax certificate issued to the County of
Bernalillo. Pace v. Wight, 25 N.M. 276; Cooper v. Hills, 23 N.M. 696; Sutherland on Statutory
Construction, sec. 463 and cases cited; 35 Cyc. p. 1208; Leette v. St. Louis State Bank, 115 Mo. 184, 21
S.W. 788.
The possession of Perfecto Armijo was not adverse in character, but was presumed to be the
possession of all of his brothers and sisters who were tenants in common. 38 Cyc. pp. 21 to 23; Long v.
Grant, 163 Ala. 507, 50 So. 914; Sumner v. Hill, 157 Ala. 230, 47 So. 565; Inglis v. Webb, 117 Ala. 387,
23 So. 125; McNeil v. First Congregational Society, 66 Cal. 105, 4 P. 1096; Thompson v. Saunders, 113
Ga. 1024, 39 S.E. 419; Blackaby v. Blackaby, 185 Ill. 94, 56 N.E. 1053; Ball v. Palmer, 81 Ill. 370; Elliott
© 2012 by the State of New Mexico. All rights reserved.
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v. Frakes, 90 Ind. 389; Patterson v. Nixon, 79 Ind. 251; Weare v. Van Meter, 42 Ia. 128; Schoonover v.
Tyner, 72 Kan. 475, 84 P. 124; Vermilion v. Nichol (Ky.), 114 S.W. 270; Bloom v. Sawyer, 121 Ky. 308,
98 S.W. 204; Thornton v. York Bank, 45 Me. 158; Whitney v. Dewey, 15 Pick. 428; Nowlen v. Hall, 128
Mich. 274, 87 N.W. 222; Lindley v. Groff, 37 Minn. 338, 34 N.W. 26; Ller v. Routh (Miss.), 3 How. 276;
Chapman v. Kullman, 191 Mo. 237, 89 S.W. 924; Southmayd v. Southmayd, 4 Mont. 100, 5 P. 318; Blake
v. Milliken, 14 N.H. 213; Mott v. Carolina Land Co., 146 N.C. 425, 60 S.E. 423; Hogg v. Beerman, 41 O.
S. 81; Moss v. Rose, 27 Ore. 595, 41 P. 666; Stull v. Stull, 197 Pa. St. 243; Richardson v. Day, 20 S.C.
412; Marr v. Gilliam (Tenn.), 1 Coldw. 488; Myers v. Frey, 102 Tex. 527, 119 S.W. 1142; Avery v. Hall, 50
Vt. 11; Cedar Mt. Consol. Min. Co. v. Yarwood, 27 Wash. 271, 67 P. 749; Parker v. Brast, 45 W. Va. 399,
32 S.E. 269; Beinecker v. Miller, 40 Mo. 473; Thornton v. York Bank, 45 Me. 158; Mellon v. Reid, 114 Pa.
St. 646, 8 A. 327; Phillips v. Wilmarth, 98 Ia. 32, 66 N.W. 1053; 38 Cyc. 27, 32 and cases cited.
That the exclusive receipt of rents and profits does not amount to an ouster, see: Morgan v. Mitchell,
104 Ga. 596, 30 S.E. 792; Carpenter v. Fletcher, 239 Ill. 440, 88 N.E. 162; Todd v. Todd, 117 Ill. 92, 7
N.E. 583; Higbee v. Rice, 5 Mass. 344; Rodney v. McLaughlin, 97 Mo. 426, 9 S.W. 726; Warfield v.
Lindell, 30 Mo. 272; Lewitzky v. Szotoloff, 224 Pa. St. 610, 73 A. 936; Volton v. Hamilton, 2 Watts & S.
294; McGee v. Hall, 26 S.C. 179, 1 S.E. 711; Alexander v. Kennedy, 19 Tex. 488, 70 Am. Dec. 358.
Mere lapse of time or mere delay on the part of a tenant in common not in possession in failing to
demand admission to joint possession or a share of the rents and profits is not sufficient to evidence an
adverse holding by one in possession. Plass v. Plass, 121 Cal. 131; Bryan v. Atwater (Conn.), 5 Day 181;
Milbourn v. David (Del.), 7 Houst. 209, 30 A. 971; Ball v. Palmer, 81 Ill. 370; Peden v. Cavine, 134 Ind.
494, 34 N.E. 7; Bader v. Dyer, 106 Ia. 715, 77 N.W. 469; Chambers v. Pleak (Ky.), 6 Dana 426; Lafavour
v. Homan, 3 Allen 354; LaFountain v. Dee, 110 Mich. 347, 68 N.W. 220; Warfield v. Lindell, 38 Mo. 561;
Abrams v. Rhoner, 44 Hun 507; Mott v. Carolina Land Co., 146 N.C. 525, 60 S.E. 423; Rider v. Maul, 46
Pa. St. 376; Villard v. Robert (S.C.), 1 Strobh. Eq. 393; Marr v. Gilliam (Tenn.), 1 Coldw. 488; Gray v.
Kauffman, 82 Tex. 65, 17 S.W. 513; Purcell v. Wilson (Va.), 4 Gratt. 16; Reed v. Bachman, 61 W. Va.
452, 57 S.E. 769; Sydnor v. Palmer, 29 Wis. 226.
Courts manifest the utmost leniency when it appears that the delay is due to the intimate personal
relations existing between the parties and the high degree of confidence reposed by one in another. 10 R.
C. L. "Equity", sec. 149 and cases in note 11.
Plaintiff could acquire no right under a tax title as against his co-tenants. Black on Tax Titles, secs.
282 and 317 and cases cited; Flynn v. McKinley, 44 Ia. 68; Tyce v. Darbey (Ia.), 13 N.W. 301; Catron v.
Laughlin, 11 N.M. 604 at p. 643; 7 R. C. L. p. 857, par. 51.
One cannot bring the owner of a legal title into equity and then cut off his legal right by pleading
laches. Kelly v. Boettcher, 85 F. 62; Galway v. Metropolitan Elevated Ry. Co., 128 N.Y. 132, 28 N.E. 479
at p. 484.
The findings and decree of the court in favor of the defendant Anita A. Otero as to the undivided
onehalf interest in the real estate in question were based upon substantial evidence and are unassailable
under the well known principle established by this court that where there is substantial evidence to
support a decree the judgment of the court will not be disturbed. Territory v. West, 14 N.M. 546; Sherman
v. Hicks, 14 N.M. 439; Richardson v. Pierce, 14 N.M. 334; Hancock v. Boazley, 14 N.M. 239; Territory v.
Netherland, 13 N.M. 491; Candelaria v. Miera, 13 N.M. 360; Cunningham v. Springer, 13 N.M. 259; Ortiz
v. Bank, 12 N.M. 519; Marquez v. Land Grant Co., 12 N.M. 445; Carpenter v. Lindauer, 12 N.M. 388;
Green v. Brown & Manzanares Co., 11 N.M. 658; Rush v. Fletcher, 11 N.M. 555; Romero v. Boleman, 11
N.M. 535; Territory v. Gonzales, 11 N.M. 301; Gale & Farr v. Salas, 11 N.M. 211; Robinson v. Palatine
Ins. Co. 11 N.M. 162; Patterson v. Hewitt, 11 N.M. 1; Badaracco v. Badaracco, 10 N.M. 761; Land &
Irrigation Co. v. Gutierrez, 10 N.M. 177; Pueblo of Nambe v. Romero, 10 N.M. 58; Ford v. Springer Land
Assoc., 8 N.M. 37; Territory v. Hicks, 6 N.M. 596; Torlina v. Trolicht, 6 N.M. 54; Lucy v. Woodward, 5
N.M. 583; Newcomb v. White, 5 N.M. 435; Romero v. Desmairias, 5 N.M. 142; Clark v. Carlisle Gold
Mining Co., 5 N.M. 323; Rodey v. Traveler's Ins. Co., 3 N.M. 543; Zanz v. Stover, 2 N.M. 29.
Only the ultimate facts are to be found, and requests of the trial court to contradict its findings of
ultimate facts are not justified.
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It is well settled that the findings required by statute are the ultimate facts. Burr v. Des Moines Co., 1
Wallace 102; McClure v. U. S., 116 U.S. 151; Luna v. R. R. Co., 16 N.M. 71; Texas Bank & Trust Co. v.
Cavin (N.M.), 192 P. 367.
JUDGES
Barnes, J. Parker, C. J., concurs.
AUTHOR: BARNES
OPINION
{*68} {1} OPINION OF THE COURT. This is a suit to quiet title to certain real estate situate
in Bernalillo county, and known as the Poblanos ranch, brought by the plaintiff, James C. Smith,
against defendants Dolores Borradaile, Josefa A. Heyn, Ambrosio Armijo, Anita A. Otero, and
all unknown claimants of interests in the premises adverse to the plaintiff. Anita A. Otero
answered, denying that plaintiff was the owner of the entire title to the real estate, admitted that
plaintiff owned an undivided one-half interest therein, and alleged that she owned the remaining
undivided one-half interest, title to which she prayed might be quieted in her as against the
plaintiff. The plaintiff replied, denying the claim of Mrs. Otero, setting up adverse possession
since the year 1884 by plea of the statute of limitations of 10 years, and alleged that the plaintiff
was a bona fide purchaser of the entire premises for value without notice of the claims of Mrs.
Otero and her predecessors in title and alleging that she and her predecessors in title had been
guilty of laches.
{2} In order to understand some of the contentions advanced by plaintiff, it should be stated
that the record discloses that the defendant Josefa Heyn was personally served with summons
and copy of complaint on August 22, 1917, and a certificate of default as to her was issued on
the 12th of September, 1917. Defendant Ambrosio Armijo was personally served with a copy of
summons on the 11th day of August, 1917, by delivering to and leaving with him in the county
of Maricopa, state of Arizona, copy of summons with a copy of the complaint attached. Upon
such service a certificate of default was issued on December 4, 1917. {*69} Defendant
Borradaile was served with summons with copy of complaint attached on the 27th day of
August, 1917, by personally delivering to and leaving with her such summons at the county of
Alameda, in the state of California, and the certificate of default upon such service issued as to
her on October 26, 1917. On the 4th day of September, 1917, defendant Anita Otero acquired by
conveyance all the interest of Ambrosio Armijo in the premises in question, and on the 15th day
of September, 1917, Mrs. Otero acquired by conveyance from Dolores Borradaile and Josefa
Heyn all of their interest in said property. Mrs. Otero also claimed to have inherited a one-tenth
interest in the property in question from her father upon his death in 1882, and a like one-tenth
interest through the death of her sister, Rosalia Armijo. These two-tenths so gained by her
through inheritance, together with the three-tenths acquired by conveyance from Ambrosio,
Dolores, and Josefa, make up the undivided one-half interest in the premises which she claims in
her answer.
{3} No default judgment has ever been entered against any of the defendants upon the
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certificates of default.
{4} It appears that Ambrosio Armijo, the father of Mrs. Otero, died April 10, 1882, in
Bernalillo county, leaving him surviving ten children -- Perfecto, Jesus, Teresa, Mariano, Elias,
Dolores, Rosalia, Josefa, Anita, and Ambrosio. At the time of his death, five of his children were
minors, namely: Dolores, age 15; Rosalia, age 13; Josefa, age 12; Ambrosio, age nine; and Anita,
age 5. The deceased left a will which was duly probated giving to each of his ten children,
among other things a one-tenth interest in the land in controversy. The widow of the deceased
and his oldest son, Perfecto, were joint executors. Perfecto Armijo, the oldest son, went into
possession of the land in question about the year 1882, and in the year 1912 conveyed it by
warranty deed to Neil B. Field. From the year 1889 to 1912, Perfecto returned the land for
taxation in his own name. In 1887 he leased the land to one Jones, who occupied it during the
term of his lease. In 1890 he leased the land to one Standlee, who {*70} occupied it during the
term of his lease. In 1899 he mortgaged an interest in the land to one Harry Lee, which mortgage
was afterward paid off. In 1911 he leased the land to James C. Smith, the plaintiff. Perfecto kept
all of the proceeds of the land, and at various times during the years mentioned he lived on the
land, farmed it, and kept the income. At the time Field bought the land in 1912, Smith was on it,
and December 24, 1915, Field and his wife sold the land to Smith, who is this plaintiff, and
conveyed the land to him by warranty deed. Smith made improvements on the land, built a house
on it, costing approximately $ 1,400, and leveled some of the land and put it in cultivation. The
land lies on the North Fourth street road out of Albuquerque, about 4 1-2 miles from town, and
said highway has been greatly improved and paved with concrete by state and federal aid since
Smith purchased the land.
{5} The land was assessed for taxes to Perfecto Armijo for the year 1903. The taxes were not
paid, and on the 3d day of October, 1904, the ranch was sold at tax sale to the county of
Bernalillo. The certificate of said sale was held by said county until the 20th day of July, 1917,
when it was sold to the plaintiff, and on the same day recorded. On the 22d day of September,
1920, Smith received a tax deed to the land.
{6} Before Field bought the land in the year 1912, Perfecto had acquired, in addition to his
one-tenth interest, the one-tenth interests each of his brothers, Jesus, Mariano, and Elias, and on
August 1, 1917, the plaintiff Smith acquired from Teresa A. Pratt, formerly Armijo, and one of
the heirs of Ambrosio Armijo, by a quitclaim deed, her one-tenth interest.
{7} The plaintiff claims by adverse possession under the provisions of the act of February 1,
1858, which, for the purpose of reference, may be found as section 2938, C. L. 1897. As
originally adopted, this section did not require the person in adverse possession to have color of
title, but in 1899 (Laws 1899, c. 63) the Legislature amended the section so as to require color of
title, and in 1905 (Laws 1905, c. 139) the {*71} original section was further amended by adding
a definition of adverse possession. There are two statutes of adverse possession in this state, one
of which is the section referred to, and the other of which, for convenience of discussion in this
opinion, may be referred to as section 2937, C. L. 1897. The latter section applies to grants
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derived from the governments of Spain and Mexico.
{8} It is admitted in the record that the premises in question were originally part of the Elena
de Gallegos land grant, known as a Spanish grant, but, without determining at this time under
which of the sections mentioned above the adverse possession of the plaintiff could ripen into a
legal right, the court will, for the purpose of the opinion, adopt the contention of the plaintiff,
summarized as follows: That Perfecto Armijo entered into adverse possession of the premises in
1885 (1882 in the testimony); that such possession was open, visible, notorious, adverse,
exclusive, and uninterrupted after such entry for 10 years; that no color of title was required to
ripen such possession; and that the rights of the adverse claimant had fully accrued under the
provisions of section 2938 before the act of 1899 had required color of title as an element of
adverse possession.
{9} Turning to the transcript in the case it is fairly deducible therefrom: That the property
was at the time of the death of the ancestor a large and well-known farm or hacienda, improved
by a dwelling which is described in Mr. Field's testimony as being a 'show place" at the time he
first knew it, and having cultivated fields. That in 1882 Perfecto, who was one of the executors
of his father's will, moved onto the premises and lived there for various periods down to the year
1911, when he leased the premises to the plaintiff. That during all those years he retained the
possession and management of the property, returning it for taxation in his own name from the
year 1889, and paid the taxes on it, excepting for the year 1903, and unquestionably exercised
full dominion over the entire property until such time as he delivered a conveyance {*72} of the
whole thereof to Mr. Field. He received the rents, issues, and profits of the fields while he lived
on the place, and never accounted to his coheirs therefor, nor paid them any part thereof, and the
three of the heirs who testified in the case admitted that they never demanded an accounting, nor
received anything on account of the product of the land. In 1887 he leased the entire premises to
one Jones, and in 1890 he leased to one Standlee, and in 1911 he leased the premises to the
plaintiff, and if there were any profits arising under any of these leases they were appropriated
by Perfecto to his own uses. In 1899 Perfecto and wife executed a mortgage to Harry F. Lee.
This mortgage described and covered certain property not in question in this case and also "all of
their right, title, and interest in and to that certain property * * * commonly known and called the
Las Poblanos ranch, and being the same property on which parties of the first part now reside."
{10} Mr. Field testified: That in the fall of 1885, or the spring of 1886, Perfecto Armijo was
living on this ranch. "I can't be certain of the date -- any more certain than that -- and claimed to
be the owner of it, offered to sell it to me at that time," and "stated that he had become the owner
of it by reason of the fact that he had made advances to the extent of several thousand dollars for
the heirs in the prosecution of certain Indian depredation claims. That the claim by Perfecto
Armijo was well known to and acquiesced in by his adult brothers and sisters." Upon objection
of the defendant, the statement of Mr. Field that the claim was well known to and acquiesced in
by Perfecto's adult brothers and sisters was stricken out.
{11} The plaintiff also introduced in evidence the record in a suit for partition, No. 3187,
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Bernalillo county district court, which was a suit brought by Mr. Field for Perfecto Armijo and
the heirs Dolores, Rosalia, and Teresa for themselves, and Abundia Garcia de Barela, Josefa,
Ambrosio, and Anita, the last three being infants, all as tenants in common of certain property in
the petition described, all situate in the town of Albuquerque, {*73} and praying partition of such
Albuquerque property. A decree of partition was entered as to such property, and the purpose of
plaintiff in introducing the record is to show a condition under which it is to be presumed that the
Las Poblanos ranch was treated and considered at the time the suit was filed in 1891 as the
settled and separate property of Perfecto.
{12} The pleadings in this case referred only to Albuquerque city property, which they
prayed to have partitioned. The complaint alleges that the Armijo heirs have no other source of
income than this city property and in the proofs some of the heirs admitted they are satisfied with
the shares in their father's estate as apportioned to them by the proposed decree, which afterward
became final. The minor heirs appeared by a guardian ad litem, who filed the usual plea
requiring full proof of the allegations of the complaint.
{13} Mr. Field also testified that Perfecto sold a portion of the Poblanos ranch to a man
named Garcia who, with his subsequent grantees, have been in possession ever since the sale.
{14} On the other hand for the defendants, Josefa Heyn, one of the defendants, testified: That
she was the daughter of Ambrosio Armijo, born in 1870; knew that her brother lived on the
ranch; heard at the time that he sold it to Mr. Field and went with Mrs. Borradaile to her brother's
house to claim their share, and her brother said: "We didn't have any share in it." This was
shortly after the property had been sold to Mr. Field; Mrs. Borradaile did the talking. She said:
"What about Las Poblanos ranch -- I heard that you sold it." He said: "Yes," and she said: "Well,
where is our share?" He answered: "I only sold mine; I didn't sell yours." That Perfecto never at
any time prior to that claimed that he was the sole owner; never heard he so claimed; never was
any conversation in the presence of herself and Mr. Field that Perfecto claimed to own the
whole ranch; never heard of Perfecto's claim on account of prosecuting Indian claims. On
cross-examination she admitted she never {*74} returned the property for taxation or paid taxes.
Her husband was assessor of the county for four years and paid no attention to taxes on the
property; did not consider that ranch was Perfecto's or that she had no interest in it; knew
Perfecto was leasing it and never got any money; always thought that she had an interest, and if
Perfecto sold he would give us our share; did not object to his selling and expected to get her
part of the money; never brought any suit after the sale to Mr. Field. On redirect examination she
testifies that Perfecto and the rest of the children were always on good terms; was no reason why
she did not demand part of the income or rents from Perfecto; was no understanding about taxes
-- "We just thought if he lived there he ought to pay the taxes.'
{15} The deposition of Dolores A. Borradaile stated: That she was 50 years of age and the
daughter of Ambrosio Armijo. Lives in Berkeley, Cal., where she went in June, 1914; very
familiar with the ranch; her brother took possession of it immediately after her father's death;
lived there off and on from 1882 to 1912, and when not on the place he rented it. Prior to 1912
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never told her he claimed to be the owner of the entire ranch; never told her prior to 1912 that
she had lost her interest therein, or had no interest therein. He never asked her to contribute
towards payment of taxes or repairs or improvements. Didn't ask him to pay over her part of
rents because he was living on the place part of the time, and he paid the taxes and made the
improvements, and felt he was entitled to keep the rents in repayment. No one ever told her prior
to 1912 that her brother claimed to be sole owner.
"After the ranch was sold, when I claimed my interest, I claimed from my brother my
interest in the money obtained from the sale, and it was then for the first time that my
brother Perfecto ever disputed my interest and claim in the property. I asked him for my
share of the selling price, and he said that I had no right in the property -- that he lived on
it for 25 years or over and that he had paid the taxes and repaired it, and that I had lost
my claim in it. The conversation ended there, as I didn't at {*75} that time wish to have
any quarrel with my brother about the matter. I didn't, however, agree that his claim was
correct."
{16} Upon cross-interrogatories she answered that it was not within her knowledge that the
partition suit was brought for the purpose of partioning all the real estate in Bernalillo county.
The ranch in question was not included in the suit for the reason -"My brother was living on the place at the time and I thought as long as he lived in the
place it would not be divided, but when it was sold, the proceeds could be divided
amongst us."
{17} There was no agreement made by her with Perfecto Armijo, or with any other person,
that the receipt of the lots (in the partition suit) was in full of her share of the real property of her
father's estate. She did not set up claim to the ranch in the partition suit because she did not
desire to disturb her brother then living on the ranch, and because the ranch was not mentioned
in suit, nor brought up, nor discussed.
{18} Anita A. Otero testified by deposition that she was 42 years of age, lives in Berkeley,
Cal., daughter of Ambrosio Armijo; is familiar with the Las Poblanos ranch; doesn't know who
was in possession immediately after her mother's death, as she was only five years old. Her
brother remained in possession until 1912; never told her he claimed to own the entire ranch, and
never told her prior to 1912 that she had lost her interest therein. He never asked her to
contribute to payment of taxes or improvements. He received the rents, but she never asked him
for any portion of them because he was her brother, and she thought he would do the right thing
by her in the end. Prior to 1912 she never received information from any source leading her to
believe her brother claimed her interest in the land, when -"I wrote him a letter demanding my interest in the ranch, he answered that if I claimed
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an interest to go ahead and fence in whatever were my rights in the land."
{*76} {19} On cross-examination she admits: That Perfecto rented the ranch to Jones; didn't
know of lease to Standlee, nor mortgage to Lee, nor lease to Smith in 1912. Never received any
rent under those leases. Never made any contribution for taxes as her brother received rents from
ranch, and she didn't think it was necessary for her to contribute; heard of sale to Field and made
inquiries through her agent in Albuquerque. Perfecto gave her no part in the purchase price.
Made no demands upon Field or Smith as she didn't understand Field or Smith ever owned the
ranch as she always claimed her interest. Perfecto owed her money in 1912. There are several
other matters he never settled with her.
{20} The defendant also offered in evidence the records of deeds, first, from Mariano Armijo
and wife to Perfecto Armijo, dated December 15, 1884, conveying for the consideration of $ 500
all of the interest of the grantors in Las Poblanos ranch, and second, the deed of Jesus B. Armijo
to Perfecto Armijo, dated December 15, 1884, conveying for the consideration of $ 500 his
interest in the Las Poblanos ranch, described as "his whole one-fifth interest."
{21} The judgment of the court below awarded title to undivided one-half interests in the
premises to the plaintiff and the defendant Anita A. Otero, respectively.
1. Before considering the effect of the proofs offered, it may be well to state the rule as to
entry, possession, and ouster, or adverse possession, as between tenants in common. The
language of Judge Story in Clymer's Lessee v. Dawkins, 44 U.S. 674, 3 HOW 674, 11 L. Ed. 778
-- 689, which was a suit arising upon a tenancy in common, is a correct statement of the rule:
"It is true that the entry and possession of one tenant in common, of and into the land
held in common, is ordinarily deemed the entry and possession of all the tenants; and this
presumption will prevail in favor of all, until some notorious act of ouster or adverse
possession by the party so entering into possession, is brought home to the knowledge or
notice of the others."
{*77} {22} It is clear that there was no physical act of ouster on the part of Perfecto as
against his coheirs and cotenants prior to the year 1912, when he conveyed the whole property to
Field. This conveyance and the subsequent possession of Field and his grantee, Smith,
constituted an ouster as to any other person claiming an interest in the premises. Neher v.
Armijo, 9 N.M. 325, 54 P. 236. The question then remains, was there anything in the
circumstances of his possession that would give notice to his cotenants that such possession was
hostile, adverse, and under claim of right? The mere possession itself and payment of taxes is
presumed to be for the benefit of all, and appropriation of rents and profits does not constitute
adverse possession. Tiedeman, Real Prop. § 498; 45 Cent. Digest, par. 2665; Tiffany, Real Prop,
par. 2014; 7 R. C. L. Cotenancy, pars. 43 and 47; Warfield v. Lindell, 30 Mo. 272, 77 Am. Dec.
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614, and note; Bolton v. Hamilton, 2 Watts & Serg. 294, 37 Am. Dec. 509, and note. Pillow v.
S.W. Va. Imp. Co., 92 Va. 144, 23 S.E. 32, 53 m. St. Rep. 804; Gillaspie v. Osburn, 10 Ky. 77, 3
A.K. Marsh. 77, 13 Am. Dec. 136, and note. Nor does appropriation of rent for a long term of
years raise a conclusive presumption of adverse possession. Warfield v. Lindell, supra -- 26
years; Bolton v. Hamilton, supra -- 50 years. And the presumption is for the jury. Id. and
Freeman, Cotenancy and Partition, § 238.
{23} The mortgage executed to Lee covered only the interest of the mortgagor and his wife in
the ranch, and therefore fails to raise even a presumption of adverse claim as to his cotenants.
The execution and recording of a mortgage upon the whole property, standing as a solitary
evidentiary fact, would not have constituted notice of adverse possession. Leach v. Beattie, 33
Vt. 195.
{24} It is urged in plaintiff's brief that, under the proofs, something resembling a family
settlement was had, under which the right of Perfecto to the entirety of the premises in question
was recognized and acquiesced in. This situation, if it existed, could {*78} arise only by virtue of
the consideration or claim arising out of the advances testified to by Mr. Field as made by
Perfecto, in prosecuting for the benefit of the family certain Indian depredation claims. There is
no other basis for assuming that such a family settlement was reached, supported by any
consideration or thing of value advanced by Perfecto, and there is no direct proof that such an
arrangement was ever entered into. As against the presumption of the family arrangement,
appear the facts that Perfecto's entry into possession in 1882 was peaceable and not adverse; that
on August 26, 1883, he signed and filed in the probate court a document setting aside the
"higuelas," or land interests in this ranch, to the heirs; that on December 15, 1884, he bought,
from two of his adult brothers for the consideration of $ 500 paid to each, their respective
interests in the ranch; that in 1899, in order to secure a loan of $ 363, he pledged by a mortgage,
along with other property, his right, title, and interest in the ranch at a time when under the
contentions of the plaintiff, his title to the entire ranch had ripened by adverse possession; that in
1917 Ambrosio Armijo, 2d, executed to Anita A. Otero a warranty deed for his interest in the
ranch, conveying to her all of the ranch; that the three heirs, in testifying as witnesses, denied
any family agreement or knowledge of his claim to the entirety of the property under the Indian
depredation advances, or else denied in general terms that they had entered into any agrement
under which Perfecto was to hold the ranch as his own. It is true it appears from the undisputed
testimony that Perfecto sold a portion of the ranch to one Garcia, and that Garcia and his
successors in title have held possession of the tract they so acquired ever since the sale. But it
does not appear when this sale was made, for what consideration, or what the value or extent of
the tract sold was. This testimony, standing as it does as to the Garcia tract, is too vague to add
weight to the plaintiffs contentions.
{25} The whole question of adverse possession under the law referred to as section 2938, or
under the law {*79} referred to as section 2937, is a matter of controversy and dispute under the
testimony in the case, and there is substantial evidence in the record to warrant the trial court in
reaching its conclusion that the plaintiff had failed to establish adverse possession as against the
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defendant. Under the authority of many cases decided in this court, the finding and judgment of
the trial court will not be set aside under such circumstances. Woodward v. Libbey, 27 N.M.
683, 205 P. 524.
{26} The court property held adversely to the plaintiff upon his claim of adverse possession
under section 2938 and in favor of defendant Otero. Can the plaintiff sustain his title as superior
to the Otero title under section 2937? Clearly not, as his earliest deed of conveyance, grant, or
other assurance, which could be color of title as against the Otero interests, is the deed to Field
executed five years before suit.
{27} 2. Plaintiff offered in evidence a tax deed, acquired in 1920, shortly before the trial of
this case below, and claims title thereunder in fee simple to the entirety. His complaint is in the
usual form in suits to quit title, and advises defendants of nothing other than that he claims the
premises as the owner thereof. Defendant's objections to the offer of the tax deed, and the tax
certificate and record on which it was founded are not based upon the fact that the instruments
and records show a title, if any, acquired by plaintiff since the beginning of his action, but are
based upon technical objections to the tax levy and the power of the county treasurer to assign
the tax certificate, and upon the proposition that plaintiff was a tenant in common at the time the
tax certificate was purchased, and that such purchase constituted a payment of the taxes and
inured to the benefit of his cotenants, and therefore did not aid plaintiff in his suit. This case is to
be distinguished from the case of Bradford v. Armijo (N.M.) 28 N.M. 288, 210 P. 1070, because,
in the latter case, plaintiff expressly disclaimed any other purpose in offering his tax deed
excepting as {*80} establishing color of title under the adverse possession statutes.
{28} It will be seen that plaintiff here, under the state of the pleadings and issues as made at
the trial of the case, can maintain his tax title to the entire premises, unless defendant's objections
to such title are well founded. As shown by and summarized from the record, plaintiff's position
in regard to this tax title is as follows: Field took from Perfecto Armijo in 1912 by warranty
deed, conveying the whole, and thereafter Field and his successors in interest were under an
open an divisible act of ouster continuously in adverse possession of the entire premises within
the definition of adverse possession as given by the statute of this state (section 3365, Code
1915); in 1904 Perfecto Armijo, then being in possession of the whole premises and a tenant in
common with defendant and those from whom she deraigns title, returned such premises for
taxation. The taxes remained unpaid and in 1905 they were struck off to Bernalillo county at a
tax sale. The plaintiff bought Field's title in 1915 and in 1917 bought a tax sale certificate from
Bernalillo county based upon the unpaid taxes of 1904, and in 1920 obtained a tax deed upon
such certificate for the whole of the premises.
{29} The first question, independently of any defects that may be urged against the tax levy
and sale is, can the plaintiff under the circumstances of this case maintain title under this tax
deed? The general proposition, which the cases from our state support, is that the tenant in
common cannot acquire an outstanding tax title and maintain it to the exclusion of his cotenants,
as the transaction amounts only to the payment of taxes for which the payor is entitled to
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contribution from his fellow tenants. Freeman, Cotenancy and Partition, § 158; Black, Tax
Titles, § 141; Ruling Case Law, vol. 7, p. 863, § 57, and note; Catron v. Laughlin, 11 N.M. 604,
72 P. 26. This principle of the law of tenancy in common is supported on two theories, one being
the duty developing upon every owner of property, and therefore upon each {*81} tenant in
common, to pay to the state the taxes there on, and the other being the confidential relation
existing between tenants in common, by reason of their their mutual relations towards each other
and towards the common property and title therein. This is amply illustrated and supported by
the language of the cases cited and the text of the section from 7 R. C. L., supra, and cases cited
in note to Hoyt v. Lightbody, 116 Am. St. Rep. 367. In said note, citing, inter alia, Venable v.
Beauchamp, 33 Ky. 321, 3 Dana 321, 28 Am. Dec. 74, the reason for the rule is given as follows:
"The rule inhibiting the assertion of an adverse tax title by one cotenant against another
is said to be based upon a community of interest in the common title between persons
having a common possession, and a common interest in the safety of the possession of
each, whereby such a relation of trust and confidence is created between the parties that it
would be inequitable to permit one of them to do anything to the prejudice of the other in
reference to tax titles to the property so situated."
{30} This language is quoted with approval by Mr. Black in his work on Tax Titles on page
350. The books show many exceptions to this rule. Those exceptions are gathered in a note to
Hoyt v. Lightbody, supra, and a note to the same case to be found in 8 Ann. Cas. beginning on
page 988. One of the exceptions is where the tax title has become complete and perfected in a
stranger before the cotenant claiming thereunder had acquired the same, but this exception is
manifestly outside the facts in the present case. Another exception is where the tax title has been
purchased by a cotenant holding adversely to his co-owners. Another exception is where there
has been a separate taxation of the interests and no general duty devolves upon one cotenant to
protect the interest of another with regard to the discharge of the taxes. Another is where the
titles derived by cotenants came from different sources, where it is said that the condition
establishing a confidential relation between them with reference to the title, that is to say, a
fiduciary or trust relation, does not exist. {*82} Under these conflicting decisions it is apparently
necessary to discuss only the first, second, and fourth class of cases, and it would seem that a
general and controlling principle may be evolved if we determine what are the duties of tenants
in common towards each other and when and how those duties arise. Mr. Freeman, in his work
on Cotenancy, says, in paragraph 86:
"It is a sufficient description of tenants in common to say that they are 'persons who
hold by unity of possession. It is not necessary that there should be either unity of tenure
in the different portions of the land, or unity of estate in the several owners thereof, to
constitute a tenancy in common. Unity of right of possession is merely all that is
required'."
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{31} Bearing in mind this definition of the principle essential to support a tenancy in
common, the question as to the duty existing between tenants in common towards one another
under such unity of possession becomes the essential factor. In Texas, among other states, the
fourth exception to the general rule mentioned above has been settled by the decisions of the
courts as well founded, and has become the law of property in that state. But in Fielding v. White
(Tex. Civ. App.) 32 S.W. 1054, Mr. Chief Justice Fisher said that, if the question were an open
one, he would be inclined to rule differently and in accord with what he conceived to be the
decided weight of authority, and further said:
"The unity of possession, or the right of joint possession, was the principal factor that
created the relationship of tenants in common at common law. Their rights were acquired
by several and distinct titles, or by the same title but at different periods; and the grand
incident of such estates was the unity of possession, or the present right of possession,
co-extensive with the entire estate. And in my view of the law, when such relationship is
once ascertained, or such estates are found to exist, eo instante there springs into
existence a reciprocal and mutual obligation and duty resting upon each co-owner, in
dealing with the common estate, to observe the right of each other, and to abstain from
acts in which benefit and profit may result to one of the injury of the other, although there
be an absence of facts tending to show special circumstances creating trust relationship."
{*83} {32} This would appear to be a clear and indisputable statement of the duty existing
between tenants in common and of the basis on which that duty rests. Other duties may arise
through contract or by force of circumstances, but the common duty as above defined fully
supports the general rule as to the conduct of the co-owner towards the common property and
title. Some of the cases seem to impose a superior duty to protect the common title upon the
cotenant in possession. These cases are decided almost without exception under taxing acts that,
by their terms, impose a prior obligation to pay the taxes upon the person in the actual possession
and occupancy of the land, or upon the theory that one in possession and enjoyment of the rents
and profits is bound by such conditions to a higher duty towards the cotenant out of possession.
Possession and occupancy of real property in New Mexico raise no special obligation to pay the
taxes thereon. The receipt by a cotenant in possession of the rents and profits of the common
estate creates no other liability than that of accounting to those jointly interested with him; but it
would seem that from the opinions in the cases of the two classes last referred to there has arisen
a misconception of the basis of duty to pay the taxes on the common property. This court
considers that duty to arise from the unity of possession and to arise as and when such unity is
cast upon the holder of a title to the moiety. From this view of the cases it becomes immaterial
whether the taxes were levied before or after the plaintiff bought into the estate, or whether he
was, at the time the tax certificate was acquired and the tax deed issued to him, holding
adversely to defendant or not, or whether his title in fact came from a different source than that
of the defendant, or arose through a common devise or grant.
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{33} In Cecil v. Clark, 44 W. Va. 659, 659-683, 30 S.E. 216, 225, the court, in a carefully
considered opinion, says
"Therefore I say that when one person, who in law is a cotenant, purchases another title
to the land, he purchases for the benefit of all. He may claim that he is the {*84} sole
owner, but if, in fact, the law will hold him to be not sole owner, but a tenant in common
with others, that purchase is for the common benefit of all. The test is, does the law
adjudge him to be a tenant in common."
{34} See, also, Hoyt v. Lightbody, 116 Am. St. Rep. 367, where the tax title based upon
taxes levied before the title holder had come into the cotenancy was denied. See, also, Lomax v.
Gindele, 117 Ill. 527, 7 N.E. 483. See, also, note in 19 L. R. A. (N. S.) to Jackson v. Baird, p.
591, where a large number of cases are collected.
{35} Many cases have considered the duty or obligation as to the common estate existing
between tenants in common from the standpoint of a sort of confidential relation said to arise by
reason of their common ownership, and have denied that such confidential relation exists where
the several cotenants derive their title from different sources. But as this confidential relation
arises by operation of law upon the arising of the unity of possession, these cases would appear
to confuse effect for cause and to deny the distinguishing feature of tenancies of this character as
defined by the books. Freeman, Cotenancy and Partition, § 86. There is also a class of cases
sustaining tax titles bought by one tenant in common and asserted by the purchaser adversely to
the interests of his cotenants, where the tax title, under the local statutes, had ripened in a
complete title before the purchasing cotenant had acquired the same. These cases go on the
theory, as stated in the case of Boynton v. Veldman, 131 Mich. 555, 91 N.W. 1022, that no duty
to pay the taxes rested upon the purchaser of the tax title, or upon the theory, which is based
upon a mere substantial principle of law, that the tenancy in common had been ended by the
vesting of title to the entirety in the person of the original owner of the tax title, this being the
reasoning of the Pennsylvania cases followed in the courts of some of the other states. As the
facts in the case at bar present a different situation from those in the cases just referred to, we
expressly reserve a decision upon those principles. {*85} 38 Cyc. at pages 50, 51, lays down the
bald principle that one owning an undivided interest in land, adversely claiming title to the
whole and being in actual possession thereof, may purchase a tax title without its inuring to the
benefit of his alleged cotenant. The two cases cited in support of this proposition do not, we
submit, bear out this statement. Willcuts v. Rollins, 85 Iowa 247 52 N.W. 199, turns primarily
upon the question of five years' possession and also discloses in the opinion facts in themselves
sufficient to defeat the claimant under the tax title. In Alexander v. Sully, 50 Iowa 192, it appears
from the opinion that the superior title had been vested in a stranger for two years, but the former
joint owner purchased it, and, as the court said, the question was whether the joint ownership
previously existing was not dissolved by this superior title, and said:
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"If the superior title did not in and of itself, amount to an ouster and eviction, we think
the principle, under the circumstances, must be the same as if it did have that effect. As
neither of the joint owners was in possession, the outstanding title was not purchased to
protect the possession or any other right either of the former joint owners then had."
{36} Upon the second exception to the rule it may be said: The plaintiff in this case deraigns
title and possession through that of his grantor, Field, whose deed, under which he took
possession, and whose possession were adverse to the tenancy in common from 1912. This
adverse possession had not ripened into a title under the statute as against co-owners in the estate
at the time plaintiff brought this action. A number of cases hold in effect that a tenant in
common, entering and claiming and holding all the premises adversely to the other cotenants, is
not barred by virtue of the existence of cotenancy, as a condition imposed by law, from acquiring
and asserting for himself an outstanding tax title. The case of Wright v. Sperry, 21 Wis. 331,
would appear to support this doctrine, but an examination of the facts in that case, as shown in
the opinion, reveals that the case is slight authority for sustaining this plaintiff's title under {*86}
his tax deed. In the Wisconsin case the tax title to all of the land had vested and become
paramount before doctrine the tenancy in common had terminated. The Wisconsin case also
supports its reasoning under which it approves the tax deed purchased by one tenant in Wright
purchased it, and under the Pennsylvania common by a wrong analogy, saying:
"Certainly it is not unreasonable so to hold, if he may, without such outstanding title,
by merely entering into possession of and claiming the whole land, acquire by adverse
possession a perfect title to the whole, unless his cotenants within 20 years commence an
action against him."
{37} Freeman, in his treatise on Cotenancy and Partition, section 153, says of the rule that a
cotenant cannot assail the common title, and, speaking of adverse possession by a cotenant:
"This though apparently an exception, is, upon close examination, found not to involve
any violation of the general rule. for one cotenant who defends an action brought by
another, on the ground that the latter is barred by this statute, concedes the title of the
cotenant and seeks to avoid it for not being asserted in proper time."
{38} Does the fact of adverse possession in the plaintiff in this case, although known to
defendant, place him in any better or superior position as to his tax title, before such adverse
possession had continued for the period of ten years necessary to constitute a defensive right
under our statute? We think not. Whether all the cotenants, or part, or none, are in possession
does not affect the rule, and to hold that one cotenant may, by his own act of ouster, abrogate the
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rule and by an adverse and hostile claim continued for a day, or week, or any period less than
that fixed by the statute of limitations, gain a right to pay the common taxes and then deny the
common duty, is to abridge the spirit, if not the letter, of the rule, and to open the door to
overreaching and fraud. To establish the rule of duty between tenants in common, as to the
common title, upon the existence of the unity of right of possession alone will not by any
reasoning {*87} reconcile the reported cases, but it should distinguish many of the inappropriate
analogies referred to in such cases, tend to settle the true rule by which such duty is to be
determined, and cast no new or unreasonable burden upon such tenancies.
{39} The exact question being undetermined in this state, and this court believing that the
correct basis of the duty of one cotenant to his fellow rests upon the principle of unity of
possession or unity of right of possession, as it may be better expressed, and such unity having
been in existence, as between plaintiff and defendant at the time plaintiff bought the tax
certificate, we hold that such purchase was a mere payment of the taxes and redemption of the
property from the tax lien by one charged with the duty to pay the taxes, and therefore such
payment and redemption inured to the benefit of the defendant and her grantors, all tenants in
common with the plaintiff, and that the plaintiff gained nothing through the delivery to him of
the tax deed issued upon such certificate of tax sale, beyond the right of contribution from the
other tenant in common. Having reached this conclusion as to the effect of the tax deed, it is
unnecessary to consider defendant's further objections to it.
{40} 3, 4. One of the defenses urged by plaintiff to the cross-complaint of defendant is that
defendant and her grantors are guilty of laches and should not be permitted to recover in this
equitable action. Plaintiff says that he bought the land in suit in good faith for a valuable
consideration, without knowledge of defendant's claim; and that he and his predecessors in title
have been in actual, exclusive, hostile, and adverse possession of all the land since 1884,
claiming to own it in fee, and in good faith have made valuable improvements thereon, all as was
well known to defendant and her predecessors in title; and that she and they have been guilty of
laches in that they have not asserted their rights for over 30 years, and their demand is stale, and
the position of {*88} the parties is now such that it would be inequitable and unconscionable to
permit her to recover any part of the land. These allegations are contained in plaintiff's reply to
defendant's cross-complaint, and constitute an answer to the cross-complaint setting forth new
matter. Defendant failed to file any demurrer or answer to such new matter, but on the trial
below it was considered as denied, and it will be so considered here. The trial court evidently
failed to give consideration to this defensive plea, for it limited the evidence introduced by
plaintiff so that it could not be considered under this issue and excluded offered evidence.
However, upon the examination and cross-examination of plaintiff, all of the evidence on this
issue, with one exception to be later noted, is in fact fully developed in the record. Therefore the
condition of the record works no hardship on the plaintiff on appeal, unless the exception noted
was harmful. Plaintiff relies on 30 years' lapse of time during which he says defendant failed to
assert her rights. The analysis heretofore made of the evidence introduced upon the issue of
adverse possession shows a sufficient reason for such nonassertion of right on the part of
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plaintiff and her grantors as against Perfecto. It is said:
"Courts manifest the utmost leniency when it appears that the delay is due to the
intimate personal relations subsisting between the parties and the high degree of
confidence reposed by one in another." 10 R. C. L. Equity, § 149, and cases in note 11.
{41} This condition of intimate personal relation and high degree of confidence existed
between defendant and her elder brother Perfecto up to the time he sold to Field in 1912. The
element of waiting in silence for a possible speculative increase in value of the property is
entirely absent, and defendant may be presumed under the proof to have lost rather than to have
gained by her silence up to the time of the sale in 1912. A new condition then arose. Plaintiff
says he bought the whole of the land in good faith and without knowledge of defendant's claim.
In view {*89} of the fact that the interests now claimed by defendant arise under a will shown to
have been duly admitted to probate in the court of record of the county where the property is
situate, which records are the only ones required by law with reference to title arising by
inheritance or devise, and that such records are commonly consulted in ascertaining the
condition of ancient realty titles, plaintiff's allegations of good faith and of ignorance are entitled
to little weight in his behalf, and that is particularly so when his own testimony shows that he
asked John Borradaile, husband of one of the Armijo heirs, about this title just before he bought
in 1912. The testimony is as follows:
"A. Well, Mr. Borrodaile and I had a little conversation. I asked him about title; that is
what you want to know, is it?
"Mr. Simms: Yes.
"A. It was good.
"Q. Title to what? A. Title to this Perfecto Armijo Poblanos property.
'Q. All right; go ahead. A. He says I consider it as perfectly good. He says the title is
good.
"Q. What else did he say? Give the whole conversation. A. He says, 'Well some of the
heirs have never been settled for. We don't figure that we have got any interest.' He said,
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'Perfecto just simply beat us out of it -- stole it from us.'"
{42} If Smith relied upon Borradaile's opinion of the title, he did so at his peril and can
hardly convince the court of the good faith of a purchase ventured on the contradictory
statements which formed and shaded such opinion. Smith stands charged by his own admissions
with making inquiries as to the title at a time when he was about to buy, and of a person who had
no interest in the land, and of a total failure to inquire of those whose interest might be adverse to
Field's title. In other words, he knew of dormant claimants, but feared speech with them might
vitalize both claimants and their claims. Shortly after the purchase by plaintiff in 1915, he built a
house costing $ 1,400 to $ 1,500, built sheds and corrals, and leveled land at a cost not to exceed
$ 900, all before he brought suit. Other improvements made by him since suit are shown, but
their value is not material to the issue here. {*90} A state highway passing by the land was built
since the suit, which plaintiff claims has, to an undisclosed degree, appreciated the value of the
land. Defendant never notified plaintiff that she claimed an interest in the land, or brought any
suit until the filing of her cross-complaint herein. Do these facts state a case where it would be
inequitable and unconscionable to award defendant the interest she claims? We think not.
Plaintiff and his predecessers in 1912 were in possession of the land and enjoying the income
therefrom. His improvements were only such as aid the beneficial use of the land for cultivation
and residence, and, even should he lose one-half their value, he can hardly be found on the
wrong side of the balance sheet as to his whole enjoyment of the premises. It is true he loses in
speculative gain on a purchase based on Borradaile's opinion that Perfecto's title was a robber's
title, though such loss can hardly be urged in equity.
{43} This brings us to the proofs excluded on this issue. Plaintiff offered to prove that he paid
Field in 1915 $ 50 per acre for the 126 acres of land -- $ 6,300 for the whole estate then
delivered to his possession -- and that it had greatly appreciated in value at the time of trial. This
offer was denied. Did this denial constitute harmful error. We think not. Plaintiff's offer did not
show the extent of the increase in value or disclose that the possession of such increase was such
as he was entitled to rely upon. It is true that, in the anxiety and pressure of a critical moment in
a trial before a court, whose rulings are adverse, something should be allowed to counsel in
considering on appeal the manner in which the record is made below. But in this particular
instance the proffered proofs were either greatly probative or immaterial upon the issue at stake,
and the burden and duty were on counsel to submit his proofs fully so that they might be fairly
weighed and considered by the courts. In this he failed. But, waiving the question as to the form
and sufficiency of plaintiff's offer, it may be said there is sufficient in the record so that the
purpose and effect of the offered {*91} evidence can be understood and fairly considered. The
description, extent, and value of the improvements and the times when they were placed on the
property are shown in the record, and no increase in value such as would shock the conscience or
present a grave inequity based upon the five years' silence and inactivity of defendant regarding
her claim to an interest can be presented. The principles on which Patterson v. Hewitt, 11 N.M.
1, 66 P. 552, 55 L. R. A. 658, was decided are absent here. There is no speculative element of
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loss through costly mine development, or of disproportionate gain through fortuitous discovery
of great mineral wealth, such as effected the conscience of the court in that case. One of the
inequitable features arising under the assertion of stale claims is the disappearance through lapse
of time of witnesses to essential facts, and all other forms of proofs necessary to establish the
truth concerning the facts in litigation. That was a moving ground for the decision in the
Patterson v. Hewitt case, and the precedents are there cited. But in the instant case no such
condition is shown, and no complaint based on such a feature is made. It is true that Perfecto, in
whose breast all knowledge and in whose person all initiative appear to have been centered, died
between the time of the execution to the deed to Field and the purchase by plaintiff, but he died
only a few months after he conveyed to Field, and defendant can scarcely be charged with
unconscionable delay because she failed to bring suit on her claim before Perfecto's death.
{44} Upon the foregoing reasoning we find plaintiff suffered no wrong through the rulings of
the trial court on the proofs offered by him to sustain his defense of laches, and that such defense
cannot be maintained.
{45} 5. Defendant Anita A. Otero in her answer and cross-complaint set up title to an
undivided one half interest in the litigated premises. She filed her answer and cross-complaint in
due time. Defendants Borradaile, Heyn, and Ambrosio Armijo failed to answer, {*92} and
certificates of default were entered against them, but no default judgments were taken. It appears
that defendant Otero acquired the interests of her codefendants pendente lite by conveyances
dater later than the filing of the suit. Counsel for plaintiff appears to have elected to try the case
on the pleadings as they stood at the time of trial, and the evidence discloses that the defendant
Otero had acquired and laid claim to an undivided one-half interest in the property. The
objections that Mrs. Otero obtained the interests of her codefendants pendente lite and as a gift
and without consideration are immaterial. This court will take the case as formed and concluded
before the trial court.
{46} 6. Plaintiff, by his assignments of errors Nos. 35 and 37, alleges error on the part of the
trial court in the exclusion of certain testimony offered. These exceptions are based upon offers
of plaintiff's counsel to prove certain facts by witnesses then under examination. The offers are
too general to advise the trial court of this court as to what the testimony to be elicited would be,
and are offers merely of conclusions from undisclosed facts which may be presumed to have
been in the mind of the attorney then examining the witnesses. The assignments of error are
without merit. Williams v. Williams, 259 Mo. 242, 168 S.W. 616; United S. H. F. Co. v. Blue,
59 Fla. 419, 52 So. 364; Muntz v. Whitcomb, 40 Pa. Super. Ct. 553, 9 Enc. Ev. 162; Palatine
Ins. Co. v. Santa Fe Merc. Co., 13 N.M. 241, 82 P. 363.
{47} We have examined the other assignments of error and find nothing for consideration.
Most of them relate to the refusal of the court to make certain findings of fact and conclusions of
law offered by the plaintiff. The court in its judgment found the material and ultimate facts
essential to support such judgment. Nothing further was required in the case.
{48} For the reason stated, the judgment of the lower court will be affirmed, and it is so
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ordered.
MOTION FOR REHEARING
{*93} On Rehearing.
RYAN, District Judge.
{49} The argument of appellant on rehearing is devoted mainly to upholding the contention
that the tax title on which he relies should be held effective, because, being in possession and
holding adversely to the cotenants after ouster, he could build up a new and independent title by
the purchase of the tax deed, which was founded upon a sale of the taxes antedating the
acquisition of his interest in the land. This same matter was urged before, and is given thorough
consideration in the very able opinion heretofore written by Mr. Justice BARNES. We have
examined the cases upon which appellant relies, namely: Oswald v. Wolf, 129 Ill. 200, 21 N.E.
839; Sands v. Davis, 40 Mich. 14; Allen v. Dayton Hotel Co., 95 Tenn. 480, 32 S.W. 962;
Lybrand v. Haney, 31 Wis. 230; Griffin v. Turner, 75 Iowa 250, 39 N.W. 294; Collier v Smith,
132 Ark. 309, 200 S.W. 1008; Welner v. Stearns, 40 Utah 185, 120 P. 490, Ann Cas. 1914C,
1175; Niday v. Cochran, 42 Tex. Civ. App. 292, 93 S. W. 1027; Stubblefield v. Hanson (Tex.
Civ. App.) 94 S.W. 406; Boynton v. Veldman, 131 Mich. 555, 91 N.W. 1022; Olmstead v.
Tracy, 145 Mich. 299, 108 N.W. 649, 116 Am. St. Rep. 299; Webster v. Webster, 55 Ill. 325;
Stoll v. Griffith, 41 Wash. 37, 82 P. 1025.
{50} We refrain from a prolix analysis of these cases; all were cited and considered by this
court heretofore, and many carefully criticized in the previous opinion. We observe this,
however, in regard to them, that they display a remarkable obscurity in the statement of basic
doctrine and a looseness of expression which, in our opinion, is attributable to the fact that they
confuse two distinct principles and apply them to distinct sets of facts indiscriminately. The first
principle is this:
"It is the rule in most jurisdictions that the owner of the land cannot add to or
strengthen his title by buying in at a tax sale." 3 Cooley on Taxation (4th Ed.) 2852; 1
Blackwell's Tax Titles, § 566; 46 L.R.A. 209; 26 L.R.A. 1167; Black on Tax Titles (2d.
Ed.) 338.
{51} The second is:
"Where land is owned by joint tenants, coparcener, {*94} or tenants in common, and
taxes are assessed upon it as a whole and it is sold for nonpayment of the same, neither of
the cotenants can purchase a title at the sale which shall be paramount to that of his
companions, or operate to dissolve the relationship. His payment is regarded as simply
discharging the assessment, and it will inure to the benefit of all. He acquires no other or
greater interest than he held before, except that he has a claim upon the others for
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reimbursement according to their respective shares." Black on Tax Titles, § 282.
{52} See, also, 38 Cyc. 48, 78 R. C. L. 363; 3 Cooley on Taxation (4th Ed.) 2864.
{53} Of the cases cited by appellant, supra, the following are concerned with the application
of the first proposition, and not with the rule or with the exception to it where a purchaser is a
tenant in common, viz.: Oswald v. Wolf, 129 Ill. 200, 21 N.E. 839; Lybrand v. Haney, 31 Wis.
230; Griffin v. Turner, 75 Iowa 250, 39 N.W. 294; Collier v. Smith, 132 Ark. 309, 200 S.W.
1008; Welner v. Stearns, 40 Utah 185, 120 P. 490, Ann. Cas. 1914C, 1175.
{54} Under the first proposition the purchaser is unable to establish a tax title by the purchase
of a tax deed by reason of his relationship to the land by way of possession and title. Under the
second proposition he is estopped from asserting an independent title growing out of a tax sale
purchase because of his relationship to others who have an interest in the land. It is apparent that
the two principles are essentially different; yet it is deserving of notice that Oswald v. Wolf,
which is authority only for the first proposition, is almost uniformly cited in the above cases as
authority for an exception to the rule as to the equitable estoppel against cotenants asserting title
derogatory to the title of the cotenancy.
{55} The remaining cases, which have to do with an exception to the rule in regard to the
purchase of a tax title by a cotenant, do not deserve any further attention than that expressed in
the previous opinion. Some consider the matter upon the fact that a stranger purchased the tax
title, which was a paramount title and {*95} destructive of the cotenancy. Sands v. Davis, supra.
Others are concerned with the right as between mortgagee and mortgagor. Allen v. Dayton Hotel
Co., supra. Others are affected by the doctrine that the rule does not apply unless the tenancy is
under the same instrument of title. Niday v. Cochran, supra; Boynton v. Veldman. In Olmstead
v. Tracy, it was specifically announced that there was no tenancy in common. Stoll v. Griffith
was upon the facts which clearly distinguished it from this case, in that the question arose upon
the claim that the purchaser, whose title was defective because of an insufficient power of
attorney from the grantor, became thereby a tenant in common; and Wright v. Sperry could have
been determined solely upon the question of the estoppel as between mortgagor and mortgagee.
{56} However unconvincing these cases may be as authority, the language employed by them
is in support of the contention urged by appellant. With this contention, however, as it is
applicable to the facts in this case, we do not agree. That one tenant may oust his cotenants is
clearly the law in this jurisdiction, and, after ouster, certainly he may establish a title by adverse
possession. It does not follow from this, however, that, even after ouster, he may rest his title
upon the purchase of a tax certificate, as was done in this case, during the existence of a
cotenancy. Equity and sound public policy forbid his so doing, since to hold the contrary would
offer too great facility for an intriguing cotenant to convey by warranty deed to a stranger, thus
ousting the cotenants, and immediately collude with his grantee to purchase an outstanding tax
lien and thereon build up a paramount tax title. The lapse of time necessary for the establishment
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of the title by adverse possession is a protection to the cotenants that is entirely lacking, should
the ability to rely successfully upon a tax title, as is contended in this case, be granted.
{57} We adhere to the former opinion.
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© 2012 by the State of New Mexico. All rights reserved.